FTSE 100 falls as stronger pound, oil stocks weigh; Pearson shines

(Reuters) – London’s FTSE 100 edged lower on Monday as export-oriented companies and heavyweight energy stocks dipped, while shares of Pearson jumped on an upbeat first-quarter earnings update.

The blue-chip index fell 0.2% as a stronger pound hit shares in large dollar-earning consumer staples companies Diageo (LON:), British American Tobacco (LON:) and Unilever (LON:).

Heavyweight oil majors BP (LON:) Plc and Royal Dutch Shell (LON:) fell because of lower crude prices and were among the biggest drags to the index. [O/R]

The mining index rose as Chilean miner Antofagasta (LON:) gained 1.1% after prices hit their highest in over 10 years. [MET/L]

The domestically focussed mid-cap inched 0.03% higher.

Global education group Pearson rose to the top of the with a 3.3% rise after posting a 5% increase in underlying revenue growth in the first quarter, helped by strong demand for online learning courses.

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